In Honor of Those Who Serve – A Memorial Day Tribute

It has always been with a sense of awe that I have regarded those who have either voluntarily or involuntarily, assumed the role of guardians of life and liberty, by taking an oath to preserve and defend the Constitution against enemies, foreign and domestic.

I’m deeply moved by our military men and women who don the uniform of our various military branches, who may enlist for different reasons, yet are willing to make the ultimate sacrifice. They know all too well that they can, and most likely will, be called upon to place their lives in harm’s way for our sake, and untold millions around the world.

I vividly recall visiting Arlington Memorial Cemetery. Even as a teenager, I was moved to tears to observe the seemingly numberless, perfectly aligned crosses marking the final resting places of those who have fallen in defense liberty. The experience was made even more poignant by observing the solemnity of an internment ceremony of yet another of America’s young sons, buried in the soil that he gave his life to defend.

Those same emotions have cascaded over me as I have visited the Field of Heroes in Pocatello, ID, honoring those who served in Afghanistan and Iraq, and witnessed the traveling Wall recognizing the fallen from the Vietnam War. The sense of loss, coupled with profound gratitude for their sacrifices in our behalf is truly ineffable.

Over the years, with the added perspicacity afforded by historical context, and the increased sensitivity to sacrifice that comes with age, my sense of gratitude has only deepened. Especially in an era when there is no compulsory military service, why would young men and women full of hope and promise for the future be willing to sacrifice their future, for ours, who serve not? What possibly could motivate them to secure our future, our lives, and our freedom by placing theirs in jeopardy?

Various reasons are given for joining the military, but after reading, hearing, and watching testimonials of countless brave young men and women who joined our armed forces ranks after 9/11/01, I’m convinced the majority do it at least in part, out of a sense of protection for the nation they love and their families for whom they’re willing to give all. They do it out of loyalty to the principles which made America unique among all nations, of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. They do it out of a sense of gratitude, that because they have been given much by being born in relative freedom in these United States, that they too must give.

Sacrifices are not made solely by those who serve, but by their families as well. Our soldiers’ service is made nobler and more sacred, by the sacrifices made by their families. They forfeit control of their lives with their soldiers. They sacrifice time with their husband, father, wife, mother, daughter or son, as they accept orders to be separated from loved ones for extended periods of time and often thousands of miles apart. They forgo familial security and many of the temporal comforts enjoyed by most citizens. They relinquish control of their lives, placing their very soul in the hands of those of authority to command them into bellicose and violent milieus.

War and military conflict have political components that inexplicably preclude unanimity of support from we citizens who are being protected, and whose rights are being secured. Regardless of the politics, or how we may feel about specific conflicts or even war in general, none of that should obviate our intense gratitude and respect for these guardians of freedom.

Most inexplicable to me are those who foster an anti-military attitude. Do such hold the local constabulary in contempt for keeping the peace? Or do they scorn the local hero who may push a child to safety while placing himself in harms’ way? Such is the illogic of contemptible attitudes toward our military personnel for assuming the risk and making their personal sacrifices to protect us.

Perhaps the most ludicrous of bumper stickers is the one that says “War is not the answer.” That depends on what the question is, for sometimes it is the only answer to tyrants, dictators and truculent ideologies intent on destruction of nations, ethnic cleansing, and dismantling of cultures. And where appeasement and diplomacy may fail, the only one left standing between those destructive forces and our freedom and security, is the American serviceman.

The significance and emotions associated with Memorial Day should be pervasive, and not limited to a single day each year. Jesus said, “Greater love hath no man than he who would lay down his life for his friends,” and this is what our soldiers are willing to do for us. May we individually and collectively more fully acknowledge our gratitude, our respect, and our dependency on those who take upon themselves the guardianship of liberty. And may we commit likewise to preserve, protect, defend, and perpetuate those liberties they fought for, not just on Memorial Day, but every day.

AP award winning columnist Richard Larsen is President of Larsen Financial, a brokerage and financial planning firm in Pocatello, Idaho, and is a graduate of Idaho State University with degrees in Political Science and History and former member of the Idaho State Journal Editorial Board. He can be reached at [email protected].

About Richard Larsen

AP award winning columnist Richard Larsen is President of Larsen Financial, a brokerage and financial planning firm in Pocatello, Idaho, and is a graduate of Idaho State University with a BA in Political Science and History and former member of the Idaho State Journal Editorial Board. He can be reached at [email protected]

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2 thoughts on “In Honor of Those Who Serve – A Memorial Day Tribute”

So many people and our government will pay their respects today come a fem days and they forget and their life goes on. So many veterans are waiting on claims and help and are not receiving nothing. If the people want to pay their respect to our veterans make calls to your senators and reps. The people working in our VA offices seem not to be in no hurry in getting claims settled. It appears that they think it is coming out of their pay checks.I talked to a veteran yesterday has been waiting 9 years this Nov and he was saying that the felling among many veterans is the people in the position to make discussions on the claims are anti military .

Oh, Richard, you have captured the mood & meaning of this day completely.

I, too, was taught reverence & gratitude as a child, but it was at 21 yrs that the full appreciation set in. It was in Valkenburg, Holland. There is a huge US cemetery from World War II. I stood in the bell tower & looked out & it literally lost my breath with the realization that each cross was a gift to me. We are such a blessed Nation. May we never forget.

Each of you that is or has served, know that you have a place in my heart & prayers of gratitude.